NP program extended another year

The Health Unit's Nurse Practitioner Program is good to go for another year at a cost of over 120 thousand dollars. Health Unit spokesperson Maureen Twig says there is no increase from last year, but she expects that may change.  She says in the past some added funding has come to the program during the budget year. Twig adds it's a program run by one nurse practitioner which has proven its worth.

Gas prices drop for a change

No you are not dreaming,  gas prices in the city have come down by about 8 cents a litre.   The website gasbuddy.com says that many gas stations have dropped the price to a $1.31 a litre.

MP mocks senate reform

The Conservatives have unveiled a Senate reform bill that introduces term limits to the upper chamber and supports provincial elections of senators. Thunder Bay NDP MP Bruce Hyer isn't impressed saying the 9 year term limit only means we have useless senators for 9 years instead of forever. Hyer calls the changes simple tinkering

Meet the new boss...

The District Health Unit is hiring a private doctor to run it's infant hearing program. However, spokeperson Ken Ranta says it's the same audiologist who recently announced he is leaving the Health Unit to run his own private hearing practice. The budget for the program is 25 thousand dollars.

Catholic board approves new budget

The Thunder Bay and District Catholic School Board is looking at a 95 million dollar budget, a 2 and a half per cent increase over last year. Assistant director Tom Mustapic adds, that's the lowest they could go without cutbacks. The highlight of the budget is a major technology change at all the schools worth 1 and a half million dollars.

National Aboriginal Day marked by Police Services Board

The Thunder Bay Police Services Board marked National Aboriginal Day by honouring retired Justice of the Peace Gene Bannon.  Bannon says his position allowed him to work with many great people.  Bannon served for 35 years and plans on working part time for the next few years.  The Board is also about to start a taxi study.  Chair Joe Virdiramo says the study will look at fares, accessibility and the number of taxi licenses. 

Herman honoured at Police Services Board Meeting

Police Chief Bob Herman was honoured during his last official Police Services Board Meeting.  Herman says the last 14 years have been an interesting journey and has mixed emotions about his retirement.  Herman says he's looking forward to the chance to decompress and move away from Policing but will miss working with so many great people. Board Chair Joe Virdiramo says they hope to short list their search for a replacement this week and announce a new Chief before August.

Hit and run driver sought

City police are looking for a hit and run driver from Monday morning at 9:30.   They say that the driver of a pick up truck took off after his vehicle rear-ended a car at Central Avenue and Fort William Road.   The driver of the vehicle that was hit was injured, but not seriously.

Molesti back in the States

Patrick Molesti is back in the US.  The 58 year French National was arrested in Thunder Bay last year for a number of child porn charges and for allegedly trying to buy a 5 year old boy.  He was being held in Toronto and was returned to Atlanta Friday.

Store robbed, two nabbed

Two men are behind bars after a Mac's Mart was robbed.  Police say the two robbed the store on Syndicate Avenue at knife point just after 1:30 this morning and then ran off.  Officers found the two close by and arrested them.  They will appear in court today.

City businessman passes away

A service will be held tomorrow at St. Paul's Anglican Church for Alan Gardiner.   The owner of Everest Funeral Home was 80 years old.    He passed away on Friday.  Gardiner moved to Thunder Bay from Winnipeg in the 1970's which is when he continued with the family business.

NAP seize more north bound drugs

The Nishnawbe Aski Police have made another drug bust.  Officers arrested a 31 year old after they seized over 7 thousand dollars worth of drugs destined for Attawapiskat.  Officers found Methamphetamine pills, Marijuana and Heroin.